The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-31
The Convict Lsase System.

The difficulties in the way of getting |
rid of the convict lease system, as told |
by Governor Gordon, of Georgia, to a
correspondent of the St. Louis GLOBE
Democrat, are exactly the difficulties
which confront the opponents of the
system in Mississippi. 1t is well
enough to say, as all Of US do, that the
system is wrong and should be abolish
ed, but the great question to be eonsid-
cred is, How shall 1t be done?
We append Governor Gordon's views:
Gov. John B. Gordon to-day gave the
Globe Democrat his views upon the con-
Wet lease system. He spoke with delIber
alton, as the result of months OF expert
ence in trying to remedy the wrongs per
pesrated upon the prisoners. de dec AIRED
his conviction that the system was funda-
mentally wrong, and condemned 1t IN the
strongest language. To the request for
an expression OF MS opinion OF the system
the Governor said:
"You may say in the first place that l
am entirely opposed to the whole system !;
that the difficulties OF getting rid of it are
surmountable for the present but that in
my opinion the State ought to rid itself OF
it, and will DO so as soon as some other
system can be devised. The difficulties 10
| the way are that the contract was made by
the State for twenty years, and parties
have vested rights which it seems difficult
| for the State to break unless through some
| legal forfeiture
The Ge~ornor stopped a moment, as if
to weigh his words, and then SAL, ''i:h
good deal of significance in his manner ::
II am at this time engaged in careful
and vigorous investigation, which may lead
| to a forfeiture"
ANOTHER DIFFICULTY.
"The second great difficulty" continued
the Governor, SIS to know what to do with
the couyiets in case OF forfeiture. The old
system of keeping them imprisoned within
four walls, with such employment as could
be furnished, was very expensive, and
with the large numbers now on hand II
| would be a severe tax upon the State and
upon the honest labor of the State. So
there are in the way two very serious did
entities with which the Legislature is strug.
CLING now.
best substitute for the present system ~
was ASKED.
"The proposition to take charge of these
convicts and work them by the State upor
the public highways Is very popular one
and might be inaugurated possibly but FOL
the legal difficulty first referred TO. 1t is
not certain that work upon the highways
which would, OF course, be expensive K
the State, would be advocated by the Leg
islature, but the probabilities are tina
/, some system which would embrace the I'M
provement Of the public roads would b
devised. Another plan which has i'm
pressed me as worthy of fair test is tbs
working OF them on farms and MAXIM
these farms experimental for the purpos
of testing various systems and profits il
different lines of culture and products. Q
/, all the plans suggested, | should prefe
this latter for at least the younger au'
. more delicate prisoners"
q THE SYSTEM.
? "You have seen considerable OF the leas
system, Governor p
I've never had anything to do with tn
9 ir1 mediate management and control Q
= convicts under it, but | have seen enoug
2 of it's workings TO satisfy me, and since
= have been Governor | have given ii goo
6 deal of attention and thought"
8 "You think the system is Objectionable
beyond remedy ?"
5 There is a fundamental objection whic
| consider fatal to the whole system tina
is this, it places cupidity in conflict wit
;. humanity. With all the care that tn
State can possibly give; all the restraint
? that the law can impose all the watchful
ness of even humane lessees, it is impossi
7 BILE to prevent wrong and cruelty"
0 The Governor said this with great dea
D of earnestness. He continued: | az
aware that cruelty cannot always be pre-
5 vented even in public Institutions man
2 aged and directed by officers of the State
There are many instances which might b
cited of this ir almost every State in tn
} Union. Nor can wrong at the hands o
employers always be avoided and injustice
to employees be always prevented in any o
the establishments, manufacturing, mining
or otherwise, where forced labor is EN-
ployed. But in addition to these Difficult
ties which appertain to both government
management and proper control OF free
labor there is attached to this system the
great consideration / have already men
toned, that the interest of the lessee is il
conflict with the proper treatment OF those
who have not the power to abandon the
employment nor protect themselves